![]() Preserving working landscapes benefits both species and traditional land uses, such as farming and ranching. Conservation on private lands complements and leverages the benefits of national wildlife refuges and other protected areas by providing and connecting important fish and wildlife habitats. The Partners program has facilitated the restoration of healthy waterways across the nation, benefiting populations of federally-listed fish species and valuable game fish such as salmon, native trout, smallmouth bass and muskellunge. The Partners Program takes that model of trust and credibility and uses it to foster relationships that work to downlist, delist, and prevent listing of species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This emphasis on partnership-driven conservation and working together to preserve working landscapes has built and strengthened community trust and support for our work across the nation. According to a published 2014 economic analysis report, the Partners program leverages more than $8 in non-federal funds for every Federal dollar invested in the program, which multiplies to $15.70 in economic returns and supports over 3,500 jobs nationwide. The Partners program contributes to the economies of many rural communities in order to harmoniously balance landowner objectives with wildlife habitat and ensure that the needs of people and wildlife are met for future generations. This work was completed in partnership with nearly 50,000 private landowners. Since the Partners program’s inception, these voluntary incentive-based efforts have resulted in over 4.5 million acres of uplands, 1.2 million acres of wetlands, and more than 13,000 miles of stream habitat restored and enhanced across the nation. In South Dakota, for example, there are nearly 150 landowners would like to participate. It has had no shortage of participants, and in fact there is a large backlog of hundreds of landowners who want to participate in the program. The program requires a cost share – an investment of private landowner funds, land, or other services to complement federal funds. The Partners program, founded in 1987 and celebrating its 30th anniversary, offers voluntary habitat restoration and enhancement options that are tailored to mutually benefit both wildlife and landowner needs. A primary tool for collaboration with private landowners is the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (Partners) program. It is critical that the Service engage with private landowners to collaboratively develop and achieve wildlife conservation goals. These diverse partnerships are a force multiplier, bring new resources and viewpoints to the Service’s work, allowing us to leverage conservation dollars and expand our knowledge. Strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, Tribes, private landowners, and other stakeholders are integral to achieving conservation successes. In all of the Service’s work, we recognize that the conservation of our nation’s fish and wildlife is not something that the Service can achieve on its own. ![]() “Working with others” is at the forefront of the Service’s mission. Our testimony will describe innovative work the Service does in a number of areas ranging from engaging with private landowners through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program and other wildlife conservation partnerships, to preventing and controlling the spread of invasive species, to combating the illegal wildlife trade. The Service has developed innovative solutions to conserve wildlife and control invasive species by: collaborating with others and leveraging resources through partnerships using the best available science to inform and adapt our management approaches and employing innovative technologies to achieve our mission. ![]() The Service’s mission is “Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance, fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.” To maximize our effectiveness the Service continually seeks to partner with others and to innovate. My name is Jim Kurth and I am the Acting Director for the Service within the Department of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) work to develop innovative solutions to control invasive species and promote wildlife conservation. ![]() ![]() Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to testify on the U.S. Good morning Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper, and Members of the Committee. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interiorīefore the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Examining Innovative Solutions to Control Invasive Species and Promote Wildlife Conservation ![]()
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